Urban Day School: Welcome, Parents and Family! 

If you've been putting of a medical treatment for your child because it is economically infeasible, even though it would significantly improve the quality of his or her life, UHCF wants to give you a $5,000 grant. The criteria? You must have:

• a commercial insurance plan that won't cover enough of the cost of the procedure, or the co-pay is a financial burden
• a child under the age of 16 who needs treatment that will improve his or her quality of life, e.g., eyeglasses, hearing aids, physical therapy, or speech therapy
• an adjusted gross income of less than $20,000 per individual

For more information and to apply, visit the foundation's website.

At both campuses' Parent Committee Meetings, parents elected executive officers, learned about healthy marriages and relationships, and enjoyed snacks, beverages, and a sense of community.

The elections for Chairperson, Vice-chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sargent-at-arms went smoothly at both locations, with parents volunteering for positions before being elected via motions. The Chairperson and Vice-chairperson positions are exceptionally important, because they present the meetings minutes to the policy committee, as well as attend city-wide parent trainings and meetings.

Next, Richard Johnson from the Social Development Commission's Healthy Relationships & Marriage Enhancement Program visited UDS and spoke about the need to understand our own expectations of a relationship before we can expect someone else to fulfill these needs. He also promoted the free programs and workshops the SDC program offers to build family connections and strengthen children that benefit from healthy relationships.

A good amount of fathers turned out, and Mr. Johnson spoke to them about the Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative and other ways to get involved citywide and take pride in being committed fathers.

At the 12th Street campus, a teacher spoke about the upcoming events at the school and the importance of parents working with their students on materials they send home. At the 24th Street campus, another teacher spoke about UDS' homecoming celebration and inclusion of breast cancer awareness into this day, with all of the staff asked to wear pink.

Finally, the dads, moms, and grandparents' sheer attendance showed support for all the children in the school, and, while it wasn't easy to attend an 8:15 a.m. meeting, they all did so unselfishly.

The next Parent Committee Meeting at 12th Street is October 6 at 8:15 a.m..